THE Netherlands face Scotland at Pittodrie tomorrow after both sides failed to qualify for next year’s World Cup in Russia.
It will be a meeting of two sides needing a boost and the visitors have historically been the likelier to come out on top, with eight wins to Scotland’s six in their 18 previous meetings.
However, the Tartan Army have been able to celebrate some special moments against the Oranje over the years, including Archie Gemmill’s unforgettable goal in the 1978 World Cup.
Read more: Matt Phillips to use Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink scoring expertise - when Scotland face the Netherlands
We look back at some of the most memorable encounters between the two nations as they prepare to go head to head once more this week.
11 June 1978
Netherlands 2-3 Scotland
FIFA World Cup
The greatest World Cup goal of all time? It is certainly a contender for Scottish fans.
Archie Gemmill’s sensational individual effort, where he beat three Dutch defenders before lifting a finish over the goalkeeper, has become one of the most iconic moments in Scottish sporting history.
The strike put Ally MacLeod’s side 3-1 up and one goal away from a place in the knockout stages, but they were eliminated after the Dutch pulled one back in style through Johnny Rep.
It remains one of the greatest results Scotland has ever achieved at a major tournament, making the earlier defeat to Peru and draw against Iran all the more baffling and frustrating for the Tartan Army as they headed home from Argentina.
12 June 1992
Netherlands 1-0 Scotland
Euro 1992
The Dutch got revenge for their World Cup defeat with this narrow win at Euro 1992, the first European Championships Scotland had qualified for.
Holland were reigning European champions and began their defence of the trophy against an Andy Roxburgh side featuring the likes of Gordon Durie, Gary McAllister and Ally McCoist.
Read more: Matt Phillips to use Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink scoring expertise - when Scotland face the Netherlands
Rinus Michel’s players struggled to make headway against the organised Scots, but eventually got the breakthrough with 15 minutes remaining when Dennis Bergkamp latched onto Ruud Gullit’s header to stab home from close range.
10 June 1996
Netherlands 0-0 Scotland
Euro 1996
A backs to the wall job from Scotland saw them take a surprise point off the Dutch in the opening game of their Euro 96 campaign.
Andy Goram was on form between the sticks for Craig Brown’s side as a star-studded Holland side featuring the likes of Bergkamp, Clarence Seedorf, Patrick Kluivert and Edgar Davids failed to breach the Scottish defence at Villa Park.
Defeat to England and a final day win over Switzerland put Scotland in a good position to progress beyond the group stage, but it was the Dutch who had the last laugh as a 78th minute consolation strike from Kluivert in their 4-1 defeat to the English saw them pip the Scots to second place on goals scored.
15 November 2003
Scotland 1-0 Netherlands
Euro 2004 play-off
A magnificent strike from James McFadden put Scotland in the driving seat to reach Euro 2004 in the first leg of their play-off with the Dutch.
A slick exchange with a young Darren Fletcher before a powerful finish from the Everton youngster was enough to seal a famous win at Hampden Par, despite coming under pressure from the visitors.
Read more: Matt Phillips to use Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink scoring expertise - when Scotland face the Netherlands
The elation of the Tartan Army was short-lived, however, as Berti Vogts’ side were thrashed 6-0 in Amsterdam four days later to mark their worst defeat in 42 years.
9 September 2009
Scotland 0-1 Netherlands
World Cup 2010 qualifying group 9
A horrible mistake from David Weir ended Scotland’s hopes of returning to a major tournament for another year on the final day of World Cup 2010 qualifying.
The defender failed to deal with a high ball and his error allowed Eljero Elia through to snatch the winning goal in an otherwise impressive Scottish performance.
Kenny Miller and Steven Naismith were both denied by the woodwork, but the Netherlands ended their campaign with a 100 per cent record in the last meeting between the two countries.
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